John Thorpe

TROY — John Francis "Jack" Thorpe Sr., 98, died Monday, July 16, 2012, at Van Rensselaer Manor nursing home in Troy, where he had been a resident since April.



Born Dec. 23, 1913, to Thomas and Elizabeth (McCutter) Thorpe, Jack was raised in the cities of Schenectady and Albany before residing all of his adult life in Albany. He was a longtime summer resident of Burden Lake in Nassau, Rensselaer County.



Jack counted among his most cherished early memories meeting then-governor of New York Franklin Delano Roosevelt in an elevator at the Capitol while working for the phone company, and meeting Babe Ruth at Hawkins Stadium in Albany after winning a newspaper carrier contest.



He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the North Africa and Italian campaigns with the 5th Army, 235th Combat Engineers. Noticed for his singing voice, Jack also earned the opportunity to perform for his fellow troops with the 235th Special Series 4th Corps Esquire Band.



Jack was co-owner for more than 30 years of Jack's Lunch restaurant in North Albany with his longtime business partner and friend, John Itzo.



He was a member of the American Legion North Albany post 1610, the Menands Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Burden Lake Improvement Association.



He was predeceased by two brothers, Thomas and Joseph, and his son, Thomas.



Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Dorothy (Cordell) Thorpe; brother Henry; sons John F. (Gail), Robert (Susan) and Richard (Lynn); four grandchildren, Suzanne, John L., William and Evan; and two great-grandchildren, Shea and Holly.



Funeral from the William J. Lyons Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Ave., Rensselaer, Friday, 8:30 a.m. and Sacred Heart Church, 9:30 a.m., 31 Walter St. Albany, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home Thursday evening from 4 to 8 p.m. Interment at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.